The theft of gold jewellery and cash worth lakhs of rupees kept as mainour in the RDO court in Thiruvananthapuram has been under investigation for two weeks. It was initially reported that about 60 sovereigns had been lost. It was later revealed that about one hundred and fifty sovereigns had been lost. Officials who conducted a departmental inquiry into the incident have informed the Collector that the main accused, who stole the mainour, has been identified. It is concluded that more than one person was involved in the incident. Apart from an internal probe, no police investigation has been launched yet. Only a formal police investigation can determine the amount of money lost and other details.

It is not clear why the police have not yet taken over the investigation. The incident that the officials, who have the authority to enter the RDO office, have stolen the mainour which is supposed to be safe in the strong room of the office should not be taken lightly. Those who stole the mainour should not be allowed to escape.

Usually, the gold and cash collected by the police from concerned people in suicide or accidental death cases are kept as mainour in the RDO court. This gold and cash will be returned to the heirs of the deceased later when they present the evidence. However, the heirs will have to go through several hurdles for this. Hence, most relatives do not reach out to recover the mainour. It was this situation that helped the officers to systematically steal the mainour.

It is a common occurrence that the mainour in cases disappears even while in court. The spurious liquor and drugs seized by excise officials "miraculously" turn into water and wheat powder by the time they are produced in court. Such tactics, used to save the accused and weaken the case, may have the connivance of the investigating officers. Some greedy officials may be behind the theft in the RDO court. Many of the gold jewellery was found to have been mortgaged. The officials have also managed to create documents showing that many of the ornaments have been handed over to the heirs. The investigation also found that the gold in the RDO court was replaced by fake gold.

So far, only the theft in the Thiruvananthapuram RDO court has been exposed. Inspections must be conducted to find out whether similar thefts have taken place in 26 other RDO courts in the state The incident in Thiruvananthapuram also underscores the need for impeccable mechanisms in the storage and management of mainour. Accurate records and accounts are essential wherever the public property is handled. The question of why CCTVs are not installed in courtrooms where mainour is kept is also relevant. In any case, the police investigation should be intensified to ensure that none of those who stole the mainour from the RDO escape.